To keep their certification current, Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicators (Commercial Applicators) are required to recertify by the expiration date on their ID card. To avoid a lapse in certification, the recertification process should be started 4-6 weeks before the certification card expires.
The recertification cycle is every 3 years and the steps to recertify are:
Complete recertification training credits or take a recertification examination. The number of credits needed to recertify will depend on the specific category or categories the applicator holds. Please see the category table to review the credit requirements for each category. Core credits count for all categories. Of the total amount of credits required for each category, 25% must be specific to that category and 75% can be category specific or core, or any combination of the two. There is an exception for categories 9, 10, and 12. These categories can recertify without meeting the category specific requirement and are able to use core credits alone.
Available courses can be found by searching DEC’s NYSPAD information portal. Department approved distance learning courses, those courses given online, can be used to meet the training requirements. Choose “Yes” for Distance Learning to see online course options.
Commercial Applicators need to keep track of what courses they take and how many credits they have earned. Course sponsors are required to provide the Commercial Applicator with a copy of the course certificate upon completion of the course. Certificates do not need to be sent to DEC. They are to be kept by the Commercial Applicator for their own records. Commercial Applicators who need to verify how many credits they have on file with DEC should contact their regional DEC office (PDF). Commercial Applicators should remember to take courses early. It should not be left until the last few weeks before their ID card expires. It takes 2-3 weeks for course completions to be reported to DEC.
An individual cannot repeat the same course within a twelve-month period. Any course taken more than once within twelve months of each other will only be counted once. Also, courses to be used for recertification must be taken during the applicator’s current cycle, which is after their last recertification date or after their date of upgrade to applicator. Any courses dated before that are out of the current cycle and cannot be used for recertification.
To take a recertification exam instead of completing training credits, submit the online exam application. Exams can be taken online or at a testing center. Exams are also given at regional DEC offices. If an applicator cannot complete the online application, they may complete and mail the printable/paper exam application (PDF). For “exam option” on the application, choose recertification.
- Submit a recertification application - 4-6 weeks before due date (expiration date on applicator ID card), either print out and complete the PDF renewal application (PDF) and mail it to the address on the form OR submit the online renewal application. Do not submit payment with your application.
Pay the recertification fee. After your application has been reviewed and approved, you will be sent an invoice by mail. The invoice will contain details about how to make payment online. Payment can also be made by returning the bottom portion of the invoice with a check or money order. For more information regarding electronic payments, visit the Doing Business with DEC webpage. For assistance with paying an invoice, contact the NYSDEC Revenue Accounting Unit at 518-402-9362. Payment cannot be made over the phone.
For state employees using the Statewide Financial System (SFS) to pay their recertification fee, the invoice mailed to you will include the codes needed to enter payment information into SFS. Pcards should NOT be used.
Once your payment is received and processed, your new ID card will be printed and mailed. It should be received within 2-4 weeks of making payment. If you have not received your card within 4 weeks of making payment, submit a request to have a new card printed. The online card request form and a printable PDF can be found on the Pesticides Forms Page.
Please note: If the Department does not receive your application, credits, and fee within 90 days after your recertification due date, 6 additional credits will be required before your application can be processed.
You cannot recertify if your certification has been expired for more than 2 years. For more information about how to become certified again, see the How to Become Certified Section on the Pesticide Applicator/Technician Certification page.
